OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Memorials and tributes are growing outside the Capital Gazette building in Annapolis where five people were shot and killed last week.
On Monday, family and friends will gather at the Irvine Nature Center in Owings Mills, Maryland to say goodbye to one of the victims, Rob Hiaasen. The private celebration will honor the man many knew as 'Big Rob', who was a devoted father of three, and a husband who just celebrated his 33rd wedding anniversary with his wife Maria.
Hiaasen was an Assistant Managing Editor for the Capital Gazette where he had worked since 2010, and he was one of five people killed in the newsroom shooting last Thursday. Since the shooting, crowds of people have gathered outside of the Capital Gazette building at 888 Bestgate Road to pay their respects and honor the lives lost in this tragedy.
"It kind of rocks us to our core of our fundamental sense of humanity, so I think when people see that kids can express compassion of hope and healing, it kind of shocks you back. We are gonna get through this and we will get through this together," said Jeff Parness from Stars of Hope.
The owner of the Capital Gazette has created a fund to support the victim's families and survivors, as well as a scholarship fund for journalism students.
